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Child Has Asthma. Phlegmy Cough, Chest Infection, Breathlessness. Have Dog

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Posted on Sun, 8 Jul 2012
Question: My son is 5 and is supposed to have asthma, well for the past month he has had a flemmy cough and a chest infection and is also getting out of breath quite quickly. We have an 8 month old dog and it went through my head that it might be affecting my son but then surely it would of done so before now if it was, any advice would be much appreciated
doctor
Answered by Dr. Raju A.T (2 hours later)
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Animal dandruff specially one like dogs is considered to be a strong allergen which can trigger acute attacks in asthmatics.

If your child is a diagnosed asthmatic then he playing with the dog would be unhealthy. Such exposures may not always trigger an serious episode of breathlessness but set up an subclinical inflammation which may result into pneumonitis and cause productive cough after few weeks or months.Sometimes such an inflammation set up by the dog allergen can also be worsened by a super-added bacterial infection.

Hence, Isolating your son from the dog as much as possible would be recommended.Regular check-up and treatment of the dandruff for the dog by a veterinary specialist would reduce the incidence such a problem in your son.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Raju A.T (17 minutes later)
Would an antihistamine help my son?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Raju A.T (9 minutes later)
Hi again,

Thanks for writing again.

Yes, antihistaminic will help but in initial phase where there is only reaction to the allergen presenting with breathlessness only.Once the Pneumonitis has set in presenting with productive cough then need for other medications like bronchodilators and a course of antibiotics is essential.

Hope I answered all your questions. Please use any answer clarification before closing and rating this answer. I will be happy to explain or expand on any issue you may have.

Regards,
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Raju A.T

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 4923 Questions

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Child Has Asthma. Phlegmy Cough, Chest Infection, Breathlessness. Have Dog

Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Animal dandruff specially one like dogs is considered to be a strong allergen which can trigger acute attacks in asthmatics.

If your child is a diagnosed asthmatic then he playing with the dog would be unhealthy. Such exposures may not always trigger an serious episode of breathlessness but set up an subclinical inflammation which may result into pneumonitis and cause productive cough after few weeks or months.Sometimes such an inflammation set up by the dog allergen can also be worsened by a super-added bacterial infection.

Hence, Isolating your son from the dog as much as possible would be recommended.Regular check-up and treatment of the dandruff for the dog by a veterinary specialist would reduce the incidence such a problem in your son.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,